Patient Population and the Community Health Center

"One of the program's best aspects was our outpatient practice at a federally qualified community health center in the South Bronx, where I had the opportunity to rigorously learn the skills of outpatient medicine while seeing a diverse panel of patients throughout residency."

-Victoria (Tori) Mayer, Program Graduate
Fellow in Health Policy Research, University of Pennsylvania

The ambulatory training program experience is centered at the Comprehensive Health Care Center (CHCC) located in the South Bronx, a 20-30 minute commute from Montefiore Medical Center. CHCC is located in the 18th Congressional district, the poorest congressional district in the nation, and serves the Morrisania and Mott-Haven sections of the Bronx. As in other impoverished and medically underserved areas, this population suffers from excess infant mortality, low birth weight, STDs, cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, cancer, HIV disease, and diabetes. Over 95% of patients have incomes below 200% of Federal poverty guidelines, nearly 20% are uninsured and over 60% are covered by Medicaid.

"As residents at CHCC, we are learning how to diagnose and treat HCV infection in a high-risk population before the liver becomes damaged. This is a highlight of our program: we get to practice in an integrated care-delivery system that prioritizes prevention and public health."

-Jonathan Giftos, MD

CHCC was founded decades ago as one of the first medical facilities in the South Bronx. In 1996, CHCC moved into newly constructed quarters on East 161st Street, a thriving commercial thoroughfare in the Bronx. This spacious facility provides primary care services, including adult medicine, pediatrics, pre-natal care and gynecology as well as dental services, ophthalmology, podiatry, dermatology, mental health, social services, and an on-site pharmacy. Educational facilities at CHCC include dedicated precepting rooms and two large meeting spaces.